Challenging assumptions about the benefits of specific development practices, this book provides readers with overview of how competing frameworks have developed and the ways that specific development practices reflect specific understandings of the main debates, as well as offering a comprehensive historical overview of attempts to achieve economic development. It: offers a historical overview of the main debates and how they have evolved over time undertakes an examination (or rather re-examination) of the relationship between agriculture and poverty alleviation presents an exploration of recent international development negotiations from the perspective of OECD countries. Drawing on the lessons of some six decades of development experiences and illuminating theoretical insights and accumulated empirical knowledge, this book is a key resource for all students of development studies and development economics.